MickeyBlog News for January 30th, 2022
Disney Genie+ added some new options, while an intergalactic cruise added shuttle transport.
We’ll talk about these things, plus new amenities coming to Magic Kingdom and a Disneyland vaccine update.
We’ve got another big week in MickeyBlog News!
Disney Genie+ Character Greetings
Back in the glory days of FastPass+, Disney fans could schedule many of their favorite character greetings.
Disney offered FastPasses for some of the most popular characters, especially the ones at Princess Fairytale Hall and the EPCOT Character Spot.
Over time, Disney had phased these FastPasses out, though. I’m still bitter about losing the EPCOT Character Spot in 2019.
Then, the pandemic occurred, and Disney dropped FastPasses for good.
Since then, Disney parks have introduced the next digital queuing service, Disney Genie.
With the introduction of this product, we also gained a paid option, Disney Genie+.
However, during the early days of this service, it didn’t include any character greetings. You could schedule rides or shows, but the character interactions weren’t available.
Well, I’m happy to report that Disney Genie+ just updated with several of these options! And yes, two of them are at Princess Fairytale Hall!
Guests have their choice of Disney Genie+ reservations for either Cinderella and a Visiting Princess or Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess.
That’s not the only option at Magic Kingdom, either! The Mickey interaction at Town Square Theater is available as well!
Olaf has returned at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at his signature spot near Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and Backlot Express.
Even better, Disney Genie+ has added the option to book a reservation here. So, you now have even more choices when you buy this service.
The Box Truck of the Future
Okay, I’m going to have fun with this story. But, of course, your mileage may vary, depending on whether you’re already annoyed with Star Wars Hotel news.
The internet outrage machine has again jumped into action with the latest reveal about transportation to and from Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
People who have followed the story already knew that theme vehicles will take guests back and forth between the hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Now, some people have captured images of the vehicle itself. And it’s a box truck.
Apparently, even in a galaxy far, far away, box trucks still provide excellent utility for loading and unloading precious cargo…and people.
Thus far, the truck’s theming is negligible, although Disney still has another month to address that.
Bioreconstruct, a must-follow on Twitter, also captured overhead pictures of the upcoming docking station for the…box truck:
Arrow in this aerial at plastic covered docking elements at Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser hotel. Transport shuttles (buses with video windows) flown by droid will dock here at take guests to planet (Galaxy's Edge).
Large open roof area at left is a levitation practice room. pic.twitter.com/ixhF4yE4Mw
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) January 9, 2022
I feel like some people at Disney will work a lot of overtime to get this looking majestic by the time Galactic Starcruiser opens on March 1st.
The people who have turned hating on Star Wars Hotel into a cottage industry are having a field day with this one. I’m honestly unclear about what they expected, though.
Disney had always indicated that some service vehicle would handle park/resort transfers. A box truck makes as much sense as anything.
Y’all know Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder isn’t reall, right? RIGHT?!
Even if it were, that thing seats one human and one droid. Anyone else gets thrown off during the chase scene.
Star Wars Hotel will be totally fine. People need to settle down.
By the way, Disney listed the complete Galactic Starcruiser itinerary. One of the options is “CSL Starshow at Bespin.”
The documentation suggests it’s a fireworks show, although I’m suspicious it’s a digital one of some sort.
Disneyland Updates
Disneyland and some of its unions have debated how to proceed with vaccine mandates.
A recent Supreme Court ruling prevents Disney from forcing most of its workers to take the vaccine.
The only ones Disney can require are healthcare employees, a statistically insignificant number of cast members.
However, Disney can negotiate with its unions, which understandably want some health safeguards in place.
So, after much discussion, Disney agreed with the union to require vaccination for union members.
The parties broke down over how to approach guests, though. The union members collectively requested a mandate for park visitors to have their shots.
Disney wasn’t willing to agree to that. So, Disneyland won’t have a vaccine requirement for guests despite the union’s requests.
Speaking of Disneyland Resort, we’ve reached the end of an era at Downtown Disney.
Earl of Sandwich has closed for good. Again. You may recall that this happened once before, only for the sandwich shop to reopen.
Alas, history won’t repeat itself, as Disney has grand plans for repurposing this spot.
For this reason, Sugarboo & Co. has also closed its doors. This actually happened two weeks ago, but Disney gave fans more time at their beloved Earl of Sandwich.
Walt Disney World Park News
I’ve got some other big stories to update. For starters, the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade finally has a firm opening date.
Two weeks later, on February 25th, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will open at Magic Kingdom. It’s a “new” show with eerie similarities to a previous one.
Think Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire with some 50th anniversary theming and a new song. You’ll get the gist.
The following month, the Festival of Fantasy Parade will return on March 9th. Disney has confirmed that the parade will include the Maleficent float as well.
While we’re talking about Magic Kingdom, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention a loss.
Mark Anderson, one of the longtime pianists at Casey’s Corner, has passed away at the age of 66. Thank you for many smiles over the years, Mr. Anderson.
In other Walt Disney World news, the Disney Skyliner reopened as expected. Repairs actually took two days less than projected, which is impressive.
Finally, I’ve saved one big story for last. Hollywood Studios will add Extended Evening Hours on April 13th.
We don’t know whether this is a permanent change or a trial run. Still, if you’re visiting Disney that week, you should definitely stay at a Deluxe Tier resort.
You’ll enjoy the run of Hollywood Studios for two hours after the park closes to everyone else!